I lost my phone on Saturday and would like to thank two young men who turned it in to Gelsons. A sincere THANK YOU!!
Updates
The Palisades Rec Center needs shade and updated bathrooms.
90th Celebration
Celebrating the town’s 90th birthdays with the Woman’s Club was a treat. It was a really special event and kudos to all of those who brought it to fruition.
Marquez Coffee
Maybe if someone writes into Pali-Post every two weeks about needing a coffee shop in Marquez, someone will take a hint and make it happen! I love what is now available in Santa Monica Canyon. I think it would be a great addition here as well.
Butterflies
It was interesting to read about Butterfly Day and the life of caterpillars/butterflies. My toddler’s favorite book is “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” but they don’t quite cover as much there. I learned a lot!
Trash
A friendly reminder: As the weather gets nicer and more people make it out to our trails and beaches and parks, PLEASE remember to bring ALL of your trash with you when you’re leaving. Otherwise all of our cleanup efforts are wasted. Let’s keep the Palisades beautiful.
Signs … Again
I drove up Chautauqua on Saturday and – like the previous person wrote in 2 Cents about Sunset – illegally placed political signs remained along the road. “Signs must be placed not sooner than 90 days prior to the scheduled election and is removed within 10 days after that election.” When are they coming down?
Fourth of July
As I am writing this, it is officially two months out from the best day of the year in the Palisades, aka Fourth of July. I wonder what this year’s festivities will bring and can’t wait to experience it all.
Jamee Natella and Nick Melvoin cut the ribbon Photos by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Worldride Impact
Worldride Impact Foundation Celebrates Launch, Library Dedication Ceremony at Paul Revere
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Students at Paul Revere Charter Middle School and Magnet Center now have the option to travel the globe from their recently renovated library—or receive assistance to take a trip abroad.
This is thanks to Worldride Impact Foundation, which celebrated its official launch during a library dedication ceremony on Thursday, April 25.
“Worldride Impact is dedicated to creating global citizens through education, literature, media, technology and travel,” read its website. “Through all of its initiatives, Worldride Impact aims to inspire children to learn about the lives of kids in other parts of the world and to better understand different cultures.”
The foundation’s projects include the renovation and maintenance of libraries, buying new books, funding local educational experiences and immersive experiences through technology, and sponsoring global cultural travel for students.
Founder Jamee Natella—a Palisades Charter High School parent whose son, Sam, previously attended Paul Revere—said it was “quite a journey” reaching launch date.
“Over the past year, we’ve been gathering donations and getting our first initiatives off the ground,” Natella explained to the Palisadian-Post. “We’ve raised significant funds to back our mission of inspiring children to learn about other cultures, and we’ve already achieved some incredible milestones.”
By the time of its launch, Worldride renovated the Paul Revere library, stocking it up with “an incredible collection” of grade-level books, as well as providing students with new computers and Oculus headsets.
“The Worldride Library at Paul Revere is truly special,” Natella described. “It’s not just a place for books—it’s a hub for cultural exchange and exploration.”
Natella said Worldride selected Paul Revere as its first library location because of its “vibrant community,” as well as its “real commitment to education and diversity.”
“It felt like the perfect fit for our first library,” Natella said. “Plus, my son attended Paul Revere, so we already had a direct connection to the school.”
The April 25 launch event “brought together a group of influential figures in support” of the foundation’s mission, including Perrey Reeves (“Entourage”), Robin Tunney (“Prison Break”), John Paul DeJoria (Paul Mitchell) and wife Eloise DeJoria (“Weekend at Bernie’s”), Steven Paul (Paramount and SP Operations producer), Alan Mruvka (E! Entertainment Television founder), Christa Campbell (Campbell Grobman Films), and Daisy Lang (professional boxer), among others.
The event—which included a ribbon cutting and “firsthand look” at the renovated library—was also attended by Los Angeles Unified School District Board Member Nick Melvoin, former Paul Revere Principal Tom Iannucci, current Paul Revere Principal Dr. Shuntell Anthony and Paul Revere Assistant Principal Justin Koretz.
“The event culminated in a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Natella, Andrea King, a seasoned librarian and educator, and Natalie Byrne, founder of blank space,” read an event synopsis. “The conversation delved into the importance of cultural programs, the need for educational resources and the profound impact of the foundation’s initiatives.”
Working alongside Paul Revere Librarian Gabriela Gualano, Natella said Worldride is developing “exciting educational programs,” including author visits and cultural exchange events, with things like food, music, dance and art.
“At its core, this is about much more than just a library,” Natella said. “It’s about creating experiences that will spark students’ curiosity, engage their imagination and help them understand the world in a whole new way … We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, but there’s still much more to do.”
Worldride has partnered with organizations like Virgin Atlantic and WorldStrides to provide scholarships to students to “embark on educational and cultural journeys abroad” with a Travel Grant Program. Through the PRIDE Booster Club, Worldride helped send students to Japan.
“Students must meet certain criteria to be part of the program, including volunteering at the library, reading books that feature different global cultures, and maintaining good grades and behavior,” Natella explained. “While on their travels, they write postcards and create a reflection photo journal and essay.”
Natella said she has always had a passion for travel—her work as a producer took her all over the world. For some of the trips, she was able to bring along her son Sam.
“It was his curiosity and questions about different cultures that really spurred this project,” Natella continued. “I went to the library to try and find resources that would answer his questions, and I realized there was a gap in the market. Sure, there are travel guides and history books, but nothing that helps a kid navigate a whole new culture or understand the whys behind things like driving on the left side of the road versus the right, using chopsticks instead of forks, and so on.”
That is when Natella said she knew she wanted to write a book and start a nonprofit to help Sam, and other students like him, “wrap their heads around different cultures through literature, technology and cultural exchange.”
The first installment in the Worldride Adventures book series—which will be available soon—is titled “Sam In London: Cheeky Kids, Medieval Blokes and Giant Trousers.” The book served as inspiration for much of the artwork in the Paul Revere library, including custom murals, quotes and QR codes, which will allow students to “dive deeper into the story beyond the book.”
“With the new Oculus headsets, students can explore the globe virtually through the immersive experience we built with the help of Double A Labs,” Natella explained. “There are three distinct worlds—London, Tokyo and Los Angeles—inspired by the pages and characters within the book series, and we have plans brewing to expand to Australia next. It’s like having a virtual passport to explore faraway places without leaving your local library.”
Proceeds from the book, as well as branded backpacks, created by GROUNDTRUTH, will be reinvested back into Worldride to expand its “initiatives to even more schools.”
Looking to the future, Worldride is working alongside LAUSD to establish itself as a permanent vendor, so that it can bring these initiatives to schools across the district. The foundation is also in talks with a local camp that serves underprivileged students to organize a Worldride Cultural Day—with plans to bring hands-on activities and interactive workshops where attendees can learn about arts, cuisine, sports and cultural traditions from around the globe.
For Palisadians who would like to support Worldride and its efforts, Natella noted several options, including donating books, funding educational experiences or “simply spreading the word about what we do.”
“In the future, we hope to expand our reach, establish more libraries and fund even more educational experiences for kids,” Natella said. “In addition to working with LAUSD and local camps, we’re also excited to build partnerships with schools, community organizations and booster clubs.”
In addition to her work on Worldride, Natella has been involved in the community as a PCHS PTSA board member, where she has chaired the school’s auction for several years.
“The Palisades holds a special place in our hearts,” she said. “It’s such a wonderful community and a fantastic environment to raise children, and we’re incredibly grateful for the chance to play a part in enriching the cultural experiences and education here.”
The Gourmandise School in Santa Monica Offers a Wide Range of Courses, for Beginners to Professionals
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Whether you’re looking to sharpen your knife skills or learn how to perfect French chocolate cakes, The Gourmandise School in Santa Monica has something on the menu for everyone—including this summer, when camp is in session for young chefs ages 8 to 16.
The women-owned and -operated school is helmed by Chef Clémence Gossett, Sabrina Ironside and Claire Hutchens, who grew up in Pacific Palisades.
“The Gourmandise School offers hands-on cooking classes in Los Angeles for beginners to professionals,” read its website. “We focus on teaching classic techniques and use locally sourced ingredients. The school offers baking and cooking classes, professional series, and fascinating food workshops.”
Originally based in Venice, the school was created from Gossett’s love for sweets: Gourmandise Desserts offered “home-made delectable sweet treats” at 20th Century Fox, where she worked as an assistant in the feature film group.
“The Gourmandise School grew out of a passion for teaching her favorite recipes,” the website continued. “Clémence eventually began teaching classes at Culver City’s Surfas Supply Store. Six years and many satellite kitchen classrooms later, Clémence met Hadley Hughes in one of her classes. In 2011, the two opened The Gourmandise School in the newly remodeled Santa Monica Place shopping center.”
Hutchens told the Palisadian-Post she was born in Santa Monica before her parents moved to The Highlands. She was then enrolled in a mommy and me program at St. Matthew’s.
“We did pretty much everything in the Palisades,” Hutchens said. “It was where I grew up, where all my first friends were made, where I went to school, where I lived, where I spent the majority of my time.”
Hutchens added that her family was involved with various sports at Palisades Recreation Center, that her brother played in Pacific Palisades Baseball Association, where Hutchens worked the snack stands. She also participated in Sunshine Volleyball “for a long time.”
Her family moved out of the area when she was 12, but she finished her time at St. Matthew’s Parish School when she was 14—spending two years commuting back and forth to their home near Mulholland Drive and Beverly Glen Boulevard. Her ties to the school exist today—at the time of her interview with the Post, Hutchens was planning to go to the school’s young alumni mixer the next week.
Hutchens then attended Harvard-Westlake School, followed by University of California, Santa Cruz, but she left and came home and went to Santa Monica College.
“While I was there, I went to take a class at The Gourmandise School in 2011, which is right when it opened,” Hutchens explained. “I took a class there and I was like, ‘You know, I could do this.’ I always loved baking … it just kind of sparked my interest.”
A few months after the class, which was pizza-making with her mom, Hutchens secured a job as a part-time receptionist and kitchen assistant while attending SMC. She transferred to University of California, Los Angeles, and finished up school while one of the co-founders—Hughes—was leaving.
Hutchens was asked to take on more management duties. Ironside came in 2015 and bought Hughes’ share.
“She saw me and she was like, ‘OK, how can we utilize you in different ways?’” Hutchens explained. “So she shifted my job from doing various things to focusing on private events and assistant general management of the school.”
Hutchens said she continued to grow from there—becoming a vested partner in the school in 2018.
“Clémence and Sabrina and amazing partners,” Hutchens said. “Clémence … is our head pastry chef, as well as the brainiac behind the vision of the school. Sabrina comes from a marketing background and licensing background. She was in entertainment for years and years, and she brings a whole load of business savviness.”
In addition to its year-round offerings, The Gourmandise School is now enrolling for its Teen Cooking and Baking Summer Camps, designed to “immerse your child in culinary discovery while teaching essential cooking techniques and serving various dishes” for participants ages 12 to 16. Teen cooking and baking series—which are five days of three-hour sessions—begin June 10 and continue through August 23.
“We have global cooking, we have baking fundamentals, we have cooking fundamentals, we really teach them proper knife skills, we teach them how to be confident in the kitchen, how to cook with base ingredients,” Hutchens said. “Talk about nutrition, talk about manners and setting the table, talking about cleaning up after yourself.”
For slightly younger campers—ages 8 to 12—the school has Cooking Camps for Kids, where “young chefs will learn essential techniques while whipping up savory delights from around the world.” Sessions are planned for June 17 to 21; July 15 to 19; and August 5 to 9.
“It really gives them independence in the kitchen,” Hutchens said of the camps.
For adults looking to take a class at the school, there are many to choose from, including “Jams, Preserves & Pickles” and “Spanish Tapas,” but Hutchens said a couple of popular options are the Knife Skills courses and a four-week Cooking 101 series that includes knife skills, poultry, meat and fish. They also offer date night courses, like “Puerto Rican Cuisine” and “Italian Trattoria,” which participants can do with a partner or friend.
Recreational courses are typically three hours long, but specialty or technique classes can be longer. There are also series courses, which can range from two days to 10 weeks.
On the evening of the day of the interview, Hutchens was enrolled in the school’s Chinese Dumplings date night course.
“I work there all the time, have worked there for 13 years now, and I still want to go take a class because it’s fun,” she said.
“The Idea of You”—an Amazon MGM Studios film based on a book by an author with ties to Pacific Palisades—became available for viewing via streaming on Prime Video and in theaters on Thursday, May 2.
The movie is based on the eponymous novel penned by Robinne Lee, who was living in Marquez Knolls when it was published in June 2017.
“Solène (Anne Hathaway), a 40-year-old single mom, begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell (Nicholas Galitzine), the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on the planet,” read an IMDb synopsis. “When Solène must step in to chaperone her teenage daughter’s trip to the Coachella Music Festival after her ex bails at the last minute, she has a chance encounter with Hayes and there is an instant, undeniable spark.”
Soon after they begin their romance, Hayes’ fame creates challenges for the relationship, with Solène discovering that “life in the glare of his spotlight might be more than she bargained for.”
The film—which was first announced in December 2018—is directed by Michael Showalter, who also wrote the screenplay alongside Jennifer Westfeldt. Lee, as well as her husband Eric Hayes, serve as producers, with Cathy Schulman, Gabrielle Union, Hathaway, Showalter and Jordana Mollick.
Lee—herself an actor (“Fifty Shades Darker,” “Hitch”)—told the Palisadian-Post in 2017 that the inspiration for the book came a few years prior, while her husband was away on business.
“I was up late, surfing music videos on YouTube when I came across the face of a boy I’d never seen in a band … and it was so aesthetically perfect, it took me by surprise,” Lee said at the time. “I spent a good hour or so Googling and trying to figure out who this kid was, and in doing so, I discovered that he often dated older women, and so the seed was planted.”
She said that when her husband returned a couple of days later, she joked that she found the perfect guy, and she was leaving him and their two kids, adding: “Oh, by the way, he’s half my age.”
She said her husband laughed, then a moment later said, “You know, that would make a great book.”
The film, which has a run time of one hour and 55 minutes, is rated R.
Pacific Palisades residents and students to perform in Westside Ballet’s 50th Spring Performance season. Pictured, from left, top row: Mila Bakhshandehpour, Addison Russell, Elise Dufour, Olivia Yu and Lyla Brugger; front row: Laurel O'Donnell, Valentina Finci, Carlin McCaffrey, Imogen Marble and Inès Macpherson; not pictured: Zoya Abyzov and Ava Bakhshandehpour Photos by Sarah Madison Photography
By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor
Westside Ballet of Santa Monica is gearing up to present “Masters of Movement,” its 50th anniversary spring performances—featuring Pacific Palisades dancers—and tribute to the legacy of dance and visionaries.
“This year’s ‘Masters of Movement’ series will feature a special homage to the legendary ballerina Patricia Neary, showcasing the iconic works she brought to life with the New York City Ballet,” according to a press release. “The historic Gala event will feature appearances by ballet luminaries, including the legendary Patricia Neary, and showcase performances by stars from the American Ballet Theatre.”
The spring event will be spread across two programs, “each a testament to the choreographers and dancers who transform music into visual poetry,” according to the press release.
Izzy Heidt
On Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18, the “Masters of Movement” Spring Showcases will present a curated celebration of Westside Ballet’s history, present and future at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
American Ballet Theatre principal dancers Isabella Boylston and James Whiteside will be performing the “Black Swan” pas de deux by Marius Petipa.
In ballet, a pas de deux is a dance duet in which two dancers perform ballet steps together.
“The pas de deux is so much more than a love dance. It is the coming together of two people who carry with them all kinds of intense emotions, including love, grief, fear, deceit, joy and longing,” the press release continued. “Westside Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Spring Gala is a confluence of the world’s finest examples of the continuity, but absence of uniformity, in the art of pas de deux.”
Guest artists Andrea Laššáková and Adrian Blake Mitchell will present excerpts from George Balanchine’s “Concerto Barocco, Who Cares?” and the contemporary piece “Agon,” set to Igor Stravinsky’s “evocative” score. Palisadian alumni Lucia Connolly and Lyrica Woodruff can also be seen performing.
Palisadian Mila Bakhshandehpour, 15, performs as a soloist with Christopher Toledo in “Fête de Carnivale.” Bakhshandehpour also dances in Yvonne Mousney’s “Classical Symphony,” a contemporary piece “Murmurations” and in a Jazz piece as a ’50s dancer.
Pacific Palisades residents and students will also dance in the performance season, including Mila Bakhshandehpour, Addison Russell, Elise Dufour, Olivia Yu, Lyla Brugger, Laurel O’Donnell, Valentina Finci, Carlin McCaffrey, Imogen Marble, Inès Macpherson, Zoya Abyzov, Izzy Heidt and Ava Bakhshandehpour.
The showcases will culminate with an event on May 18 at 5 p.m., honoring the career of Neary with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
What Differentiates a “Buyer’s” from a “Seller’s” Market?
A “seller’s market” is when there is a relative shortage of homes for sale as compared with the number of active buyers wanting to buy. Prices will tend to have an upward pressure in such a market at least until the inventory of homes available is about in balance with the number of qualified buyers seeking to purchase them.
In general, a “buyer’s market” is when it would take seven months or more to sell the number of homes for sale in a particular area and price range at the current rate of sales averaged over the last several months. A “seller’s market” is when this level of inventory is at or below a four-month supply. If there are about enough homes for sale that would sell in five or six months, it is most likely a balanced market.
The Overall Market in Pacific Palisades
In 2008 the entire country experienced a falling real estate market, reacting to the melt-down of the savings and loan industry. The recovery from that tremendous adjustment period began by 2013, and we experienced an upward moving market for nearly all the time through 2022, especially accelerated by the historically low interest rates created to stimulate the economy.
Since early last year, the combination of increased prices and doubling of interest rates resulted in a significant slowdown in the number of homes sold, and gradually the average sales prices have gone down. Although we still often hear about multiple offers and bidding that raise prices above the listing price, these are becoming less and less frequent. Also, when they do occur, there are usually fewer bidders than there would have been a year ago.
A “snapshot” of the local market as we enter the month of May shows that as compared with the same first four-month period last year, there have been 40% fewer homes sold and the prices are about 15 to 25% lower now, depending on which measures one uses.
Based on the current rate of sales each month, there is a five-month inventory, which indicates a generally balanced market. It is also interesting to observe that while the median average sale price for the last six months is about $4.25 million, the current median list price is a remarkable $7.3 million.
A More Careful Look at the Local Market
A fascinating set of observations can be made of the upper half of the market vs. the lower half. For this article, $5 million was selected as the mid-point, because in 2023 almost the identical number of homes here sold above and below that level. Some of the differences are dramatic when comparing the two time periods for each level of the market.
The Top Half of the Market
The six-month period ending in April 2023 was a culmination of steadily increasing prices for homes listed at $5 million or more. There were 57 homes that sold for a median price of $7.5 million, which was 5% above the original list price average.
The recent same six-month period was substantially different. Only half as many homes listed above $5 million sold, and the median price level is at $6.925 million, 8% lower than last year. Moreover, they sold with an average of 10% discount from the original list prices this year.
Perhaps most significant is the current inventory of homes available above $5 million. With nearly 65% of the homes now on the market being in that price level here and calculating the current average number of homes selling each month, there is now an inventory of 11 months available for buyers to select from. By any measure, this is clearly a “buyer’s market” in the Palisades’ upper end.
The Bottom Half of the Market
In contrast, while the six-month period ending in April 2023 had also been a time of increasing prices, the tremendous pressure of far more buyers than there were sellers led to a sale level only slightly lower than the earlier period. The result was a slight increase in median prices from $3.22 million to $3.34 million this year.
With only 23 Palisades homes on the market now below $5 million, at the current rate of sales there is only two and a half months of inventory. Thus, in this half of the market, this is clearly still a strong “seller’s market.”
A Few Conclusions About the Present Market
For sellers of homes below the $4 to 5 million level, prices may be expected to be stable for some months more. Inventory would have to double in size in relationship to the pace that buyers are able to continue paying the higher prices and interest rates, before it would be a balanced market. Buyers in that range are likely to still experience frequent multiple offers, and they will likely still be paying very close to the list prices.
For sellers of home above $5 million, pricing and home preparation for sale are critical ingredients in order to succeed. There is a growing inventory of unsold homes, and most of them are languishing on the market if not sold within three months. Buyers in that range will be wise to work with an experienced agent who can carefully assess the probable value of homes before presenting an offer. Discounts below the asking price have averaged about 8% in that range, which adds up to a substantial amount of money.
Michael Edlen has been carefully analyzing Pacific Palisades real estate for more than 30 years, observing the dynamics of three major market cycles. He can be reached for information about property values at 310-600-7422 or michael@edlenteam.com.
As of April 30, there were 66 single-family Palisades residences listed in the Multiple Listing Service, which is the same as this time last year. So far this year 46 Palisades homes have sold, which is 40% fewer sales than last year’s first four months. There are currently 36 Palisades homes in escrow.
The median sale price per square foot has fallen by 13% as compared with the same period in 2023 and is now at $1,472 per square foot. The median sales price has decreased by 28% and is currently $3,792,500, as compared to $5,275,000 a year ago.
Sales in the beginning of 2023 were unusually strong due to the interest rates being at near-historic low levels at that time. As a result, homes were selling for far more than was feasible during the same period this year.
The lowest-priced available home is a three-bedroom, two-bathroom on Sunset Boulevard asking $1,995,000. The highest-priced property is a seven-bedroom, 11-bath on Casale Road, asking $49.95 million. Both have been on the market for over 100 days. The median list price for Pacific Palisades is now $7,596,500.
The lowest sale price so far this year was a four-bedroom, three-bathroom on Las Lomas, which sold for $1.98 million. The highest sale so far this year was a six-bedroom, eight-bathroom on Alma Real, which sold for $20 million.
There are 18 Palisades condominiums/townhouses on the market now, which is an 18% decrease in the level of inventory from this time last year. They range from one-bedroom, one-bathroom in the Edgewater Towers on Sunset Boulevard offered at $575,000 to a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in the same community offered at $2 million. Seven condos are currently in escrow.
There have been 15 condo sales so far this year, ranging from a one-bedroom, one-bathroom on Sunset Boulevard, which sold for $500,000, to a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit also on Sunset Boulevard, which sold for $1,565,000. The current median sale price is $1,175,000, which is a 30% drop.
There are currently six pieces of raw land available, ranging from a 7,286-square-foot lot on Castellammare being offered at $775,000 to $14,995,000 for approximately six acres off Casale Road in the Riviera. So far this year, one lot sold—nearly two acres off Via Santa Ynez, which sold for $550,000.
There are currently 95 available leases in the Palisades, which is a 19% increase from this time last year. They range from a one-bedroom, one-bathroom on Sunset asking $2,600 per month to a six-bedroom, 14-bathroom home on Pampas Ricas asking $140,000 per month.
There have been 91 leases so far this year—exactly the same as this period last year. The highest lease so far this year was a six-bedroom, five-bathroom on DePauw, which leased for $60,000 per month. The lowest was $2,700 per month for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit on Sunset Boulevard, and the median leased price was $11,000 per month, up 10% from this time last year.
Michael Edlen, an agent with Coldwell Banker, has been keeping statistics on Pacific Palisades housing prices for
the last 38 years.
Franklin Canyon Orange Grove Photo courtesy of Bruce Schwartz
By BRUCE SCHWARTZ | Contributing Writer
We recently visited Los Angeles Parks Foundation’s historical 4.3-acre orange grove adjacent to Beverly Hills: Franklin Canyon Orange Grove. Yes, that’s right—a just-over-four-acre orange grove adjacent to Beverly Hills.
It is a historical orange grove with some trees in it that are over 100 years old. LA Parks Foundation is the steward of this historically significant four acres that is a time capsule to our agricultural past.
“Under LA Parks Foundation’s Adopt-a-Park program, the David Bohnett Foundation sponsors the grove annually to support regular orchard maintenance and landscaping of the site,” according to the LA Parks Foundation website. “The trees are harvested each year by volunteers with Food Forward who distribute the fruit to local hunger relief agencies.”
We are volunteering to create an organic fertilizer program for this orange grove, and we might be looking for a few volunteers to help us. It would be an educational and rewarding project to bring the orange grove back to optimum health, using volunteers—young and old—to help us apply the amendments needed to bring the trees back to optimum health and production.
I found out about the orange grove at the Earth Day booths that were set up by Resilient Palisades on Swarthmore in April. I met Justin Yoshimaru of LA Parks Foundation at its booth, and he told me about the four-acre orange grove it takes care of at the foot of Beverly Hills.
I became so excited. Being an agricultural consultant specializing in plant nutrition for 20 years, I jumped at the prospect of volunteering to help use some of the “useless knowledge” that I have accumulated over the years that is buried deep in my head on plant nutrition.
John Atwill, from Grow More, and his daughter Adelaide, freshly graduated from Iowa State University’s agricultural program, and myself met with Yoshimaru and Tony Budrovich of LA Parks Foundation at the orange grove on Thursday, May 2. I must say that we were impressed with the overall health and stewardship of the grove. We are going to build a program using compost and trace nutrients that will impress.
If any readers of this column are interested in volunteering or donating to the orange grove, contact me or LA Parks Foundation. It will be rewarding to be involved in preserving a piece of agricultural history in Los Angeles.
Bruce Schwartz is a 24-year resident of the Palisades Highlands. He was an agricultural consultant for 20 years, specializing in soil nutrition for crops grown in the Central Valley. He was named Pacific Palisades’ Citizen of the Year in 2017 and a Golden Sparkplug award winner in 2013, and is a member of several community organizations. To reach Schwartz, call 310-779-1773 or email bruceschwartz@rodeore.com.
One former honorary mayor of Pacific Palisades has expanded his real estate portfolio slightly east.
Emmy- and Tony-winning actor, comedian and author Martin Short has purchased a $2.27 million home in Upper Mandeville Canyon, according to Robb Report.
Short’s new Brentwood digs—which were listed for $2.5 million—feature four bedrooms and three bathrooms, with 1,859 square feet of living space.
“Nestled at the top of serene Mandeville Canyon, on a lush parcel over a secluded bridge, sits this truly lovely and updated retreat,” read the listing. “An environment of serenity and tranquility meets an opportunity for play and entertaining.”
The home, which was built in 1961, has new flooring, as well as a remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, that were part of 2024 updates. The floorplan—described as “fun and functional” in the listing—offers bright and light spaces.
A “soothing” backyard features a pool and jacuzzi, as well as a firepit conversation area and outdoor bar. Additional features are a “seasonal waterfall” and “incredible verdant mountain vistas.”
A detached apartment, with a separate entrance, includes a kitchenette.
“A special setting that feels far from the city, yet rests only a few minutes north of Sunset Boulevard,” the listing concluded. “This divine property really has it all.”
Short—who served as honorary mayor of the Palisades beginning in 1998—was the first guest at the Pacific Palisades Library Association’s Writers, Artists and Musicians Series in December 2022. In a conversation moderated by Tim Schneider, Short spoke of his life in the Palisades.
“I love it here,” he said at the time. “The ocean in front of me, the mountains behind me, the weather, the village of it all. I love this place. It’s like heaven … I go through the McClure Tunnel, going on PCH and look to the left and see that ocean. It’s been 35 years and I still can’t get over it.”
Kenneth “Ken” Mark Hardgrove, 72, passed away peacefully on April 15 after a courageous battle with PSP. He was a longtime Palisadian and parishioner at Corpus Christi.
Ken was born in Somerville, New Jersey, on December 31, 1951, and is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Frances, his sister, Barbara, and brother, Richard. Ken is survived by the love of his life and wife of 41 years, Holly, his daughters Allison (Charlie) and Lauren, and his grandson, Owen Kenneth. Ken was overjoyed to meet his grandson and namesake, who was born in March.
Ken graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a B.A. in 1976 and received his J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1979. Ken was one of the founding partners of Sherwood and Hardgrove, where he practiced real estate law for more than 35 years.
He took great pride in his career and mentored many attorneys over the years. His longstanding clients became dear friends. Ken maintained an AV rating his entire career, awarded to attorneys who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence by their peers.
He had many interests: Ken enjoyed cheering for his favorite sports teams, including the Dodgers, Packers, UCLA and each of his daughters’ schools. He had a passion for airplanes, cars (especially red convertibles) and traveling.
An avid reader and lifelong learner, he had a deep knowledge of many diverse topics and loved sharing that knowledge. Going back to New Jersey every summer to visit family and spend time at the shore brought him great joy; he was immensely proud of his Italian and Jersey roots.
Family was everything to Ken, and his three girls were his world. Even in his final days, his priority was making sure that they would be OK.
Ken was our rock and the kindest, wisest, most loving and best person you could have in your corner. As personable and charming as they come, he could have a conversation with anyone about just about anything. We will forever cherish our memories with him and will carry his legacy forward, remembering all he taught us and striving to live up to the example he set.
We will celebrate Ken’s life on Friday, May 17, at Corpus Christi Church. A reception will immediately follow. If you wish to make a donation in Ken’s name, the family requests that donations be made to CurePSP: psp.org.
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